Press Statement of Special Representative Kinnunen after the regular Meeting of Trilateral Contact Group on 8 December 2021

KYIV, 8 December 2021 – The Special Representative of the OSCE Chairperson-in-Office in Ukraine and in the Trilateral Contact Group (TCG), Ambassador Mikko Kinnunen, made the following statement to the press after the regular meetings of the TCG ‎and its Working Groups held through video conferencing:

“The focus of today’s meeting was on the security situation. Lengthy discussions were held on the need to ensure adherence to the 22 July 2020 ceasefire agreement. There is a common understanding that the long lasting ceasefire is a priority. I invite the participants for further constructive work.  

 Although the number of ceasefire violations reported by SMM the last two weeks is lower if compared with previous two weeks, the security situation along the contact line is still of concern with a high level of kinetic activity. The Mission continues to report observations of non-SMM UAVs along the contact line and the Mission’s freedom of movement has further worsened, especially in certain areas of Luhansk region of Ukraine (CALO).

The participants in the Security Working Group discussed in detail how to strengthen the ceasefire, though without reaching a common understanding.

The Political Working Group had a constructive discussion on issues related to the development of a single Plan of Action on Implementation of the Minsk Agreements.

The participants in the Humanitarian Working Group concentrated on conflict-related detainees and the possible opening of two new crossing points across the contact line in Zolote and Shchastia of Luhansk region.

The Economic Working Group discussed issues related to water supply, including tariffs for water payments, as well as pensions, telecommunication issues and ecological situation in the Donbas region.”